Nugget #47
Prayer—The World’s Greatest Wireless Communication

One of my favorite prayers is only one word: Help!

“Help, help, help!” I believe God hears so much more than that one word. All our worries, thoughts, hopes, and dreams are wrapped up in that petition. He already knows what’s in our hearts before we pray.

The strongest action you can take in any situation is to go to your knees and ask God for help. You stand tallest when you’re on your knees. Whatever is worth worrying about is certainly worth praying about. Prayer unlocks God’s treasure chest of great ideas.

When you pray, listen and be simultaneously willing to take the action that God directs in answer to your prayer. He will direct your steps. I’ve discovered that many answers to our prayers are found in the action He leads us to take.

There are many kinds of prayers, but here are five that I find myself praying:

  1. Conversation: “Good morning, Father.”
  2. Praise and thanksgiving: “Thanks, Lord!”
  3. Petition: “Father, I need.”
  4. Intercession: “God, help.”
  5. Forgiveness: “Father, I confess my sin. I ask for Your forgiveness and request that You cleanse me from all unrighteousness.”

In Philippians 4:6–7 the apostle Paul counsels us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” And in Colossians 4:2 he says, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

Here are twelve benefits of prayer:

  1. Prayer brings the right things to pass (Matt. 7:7–11).
  2. Prayer sends laborers into the harvest (Matt. 9:38).
  3. Prayer defeats the devil (Matt. 17:21).
  4. Prayer overcomes the impossible (Matt. 21:22).
  5. Prayer guards against temptation (Matt. 26:41).
  6. Prayer reveals God’s answers (Luke 11:9–10).
  7. Prayer saves the unbeliever (Acts 2:21).
  8. Prayer brings peace (Phil. 4:5–7).
  9. Prayer imparts wisdom (James 1:5).
  10. Prayer heals the sick (James 5:13–15).
  11. Prayer changes the natural (James 5:17–18).
  12. Prayer edifies the believer (Jude v. 20).

Be honest with God. He knows your prayers and thoughts before you say them.

A four-year-old boy was asked to return thanks before Christmas dinner. The family members bowed their heads in expectation. He began his prayer, thanking God for all his friends, naming them one by one.

Then he thanked God for Mommy, Daddy, brother, sister, Grandma, Grandpa, and all his aunts and uncles. Then he began to thank God for the food. He gave thanks for the turkey, the dressing, the fruit salad, the cranberry sauce, the pies, the cakes, even the Cool Whip. Then he paused, and everyone waited—and waited.

After a long silence, the young fellow looked up at his mother and asked, “If I thank God for the broccoli, won’t He know that I’m lying?”

“Honest to God” is a good way to live and pray.

If you only pray when you’re in trouble—you’re in trouble. You will discover that God speaks to those who listen and listens to those who pray. Prayer changes everything.